Jacob Myers Injured in Truck Accident on US-180 in Parker County, TX
Parker County, TX -- March 30, 2022, 20-year-old Jacob Myers was injured in a crash with a commercial truck on U.S. Highway 180 in Parker County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 8:40 p.m. on US-180 near Greenlee Park Trail. Preliminary investigation suggests a Kenworth semi-truck was towing a trailer west on the highway some distance ahead of Myers in a Ford Escape. According to reports the driver attempted to make a wide turn into the center turnaround between east- and westbound lanes. As the truck turned wide from the travel lane instead of the designated left-turn lane, Myers crested a small hill that obscured his view of the truck. Investigators say he was unable to avoid crashing into the back of the turning semi-trailer.
Myers reportedly received minor injuries in the collision. The truck driver was unhurt.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Jacob Myers Accident on US-180 in Parker County
Investigators said that in their opinion the crash was caused by the truck driver making an improper turn from the wrong lane. That doesn't mean the driver or his employer have to agree, however, and they can dispute the crash report all they like. Most companies will put up a fight to avoid liability for a wreck, which is why it's best to expect pushback and be ready with clear evidence that gets rid of any "wiggle room" for the defense.
Some may think the need for all that extra work is lessened here since the victim's injuries were reportedly minor. I hope police got that right, but after so many years working on truck accidents I can't help but feel some concern when I see damages downplayed right after a wreck. With all due respect to police, they don't always have all the needed information to properly judge that.
Here's an example: Not long ago I worked on a case where a man's supposedly-minor back injury turned to paralyzing pain within a week of his crash with a big rig. Scans showed that his "sore back" was actually a ruptured spinal disk and its effects just took a short while to really show. Not only did that injury require extensive testing and surgery, but it also took months of legal battles with the at-fault company's insurer before they agreed to cover the victim's bills as they should have from the start. Little about his experience could be called "minor."
I hope nothing like that happens after the Parker County accident and there's no particular reason to think it will. However, the possibility that things aren't quite what they seem is one of the reasons I always tell folks they need to take action after any truck wreck--even if its impact seems minimal. At worst a victim is overprepared and no action is necessary, which is always better than the opposite.
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